Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report, etc., contrary to law
What this section does
Penalises a public servant who, corruptly or maliciously, makes or pronounces any report, order, verdict, or decision in a judicial proceeding that he knows to be contrary to law. The offence can be committed at any stage of a judicial proceeding.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment of either description up to 7 years, or fine, or both.
- Triable by
- Magistrate of First Class
- Cognizable
- No
- Bailable
- Yes
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- Accused is a public servant
- Accused made or pronounced a report, order, verdict, or decision in a judicial proceeding
- The act was done corruptly or maliciously
- Accused knew the report, order, verdict, or decision was contrary to law
Practitioner note
Both corrupt and malicious motives are covered. The section applies at any stage of a judicial proceeding, not merely at the final adjudication stage.
Derived from IPC s.219.
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 257, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 257 forms part of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.